She listened to him and his unsympathetic amusement, and her heart lurched, her stomach a gutless pit. His words hurt her, they struck a chord running through her so deep, and it just hurt. This wasn't - this wasn't her Pounce, who ran and laughed and loved her so much. There was no sparkle in those white eyes, no happiness here. And why would he be happy? Belladonna had tricked him and lied to him and made him run over a cliff and made Clover watch. Of course he would be like this - he was protecting his heart. And with Belladonna controlling their shared body, she could pretend to be her all she wanted, taking all her memories of them both and using them to her own selfish need.

She wanted to fight the shadow, but it was a neverending battle, and the dark was just so strong. Maybe it was better to let Vicktor kill her, so that Belladonna wouldn't keep spreading her filth.

She stared at Vicktor, their noses almost touching, them smiled sadly, sniffling a little bit. She wanted to cry, wanted to scream and defend her innocence, but she knew it wouldn't help. She didn't want to die. "It's good you don't believe me. It's okay. I deserve it."

She moved his paw back over her throat, then she rested her head back against the ground. "It's okay. You can kill me. I should've been there for you, and I wasn't. I should've protected you. I didn't fight hard enough. I have her sealed for now, but that won't last."

She closed her eye. I'm sorry, Bartos. I love you.

"Kill me and the demon, Vicktor. So she won't hurt anybody else. And break my gem after I'm dead, okay? So she won't come back."

"This is how I speak."

"It's good you don't believe me. It's okay. I deserve it."

He agreed with her, watching with heavy suspicion as she moved his paw back over her throat. Laying her head back against the ground in defeat. 'Clover's' acting was impeccable, it truly was. She had almost stirred up pity in the depths of his psyche. Pft, almost. "You're right 'Clover'" he spat her name out hard, sarcasm dripping down his fangs like a venom. Unsheathing his claws he pulled against her throat, bringing his face close to her's as he spoke barely above a whisper. Calm, collected and hungry.

"I almost want to let you live...just so I wouldn't be giving you want you want." The paw that previously laid over her chest now trailed over her ribs. Each nail following every curve and bump of what lay underneath her soft supple flesh. Finally relaxing against her soft underbelly. "But I will never forgive what you've done...instead I will have you pay it back...every scream...every drop of blood and every ounce of flesh will be paid...in interest" A smile twisted his features as he let out a low grumble from his throat. Laying his head against her own, slowly applying pressure to her chest. Claws digging in, that sweet ichor slowly dripping up and over each nail.

"Kill you and the demon..." A small laugh escaped his lips as he licked her neck, gliding his teeth over her. Engulfing her throat in his jaws for a moment, he applied light pressure to her. Dropping her back to the ground. "I'll kill you...that's correct. BUT.." Finally he began to twist his claws. Fully extended them, driving them into her soft flesh. He would pull at her rib cage, wrap his nails around her bones and rattle them. He would hear her scream.

"I'm your demon now"

"Clover Speech"
"Belladonna Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

@Belladonna

"You're right, 'Clover',"
He spat, and she swallowed forcefully, watching his expression as he moved closer. He was bitter and hateful, and it made her heart sick to watching his face contort in venomous anger. This wasn't the cub she used to know, this was an adult with a sick heart. So much had happened to him, so much she wasn't there for, so much pain - and all those scars she could see as she ran her eyes down his torso - it scared her.

What had happened to him? The only one she'd ever seen physically hurt was Leon, and that had been his own fault, his own magic backfiring in his fight with Vazi. She'd never seen someone with so many battle scars.

"I almost want to let you live...just so I wouldn't be giving you want you want."
Her heart sped up here, a mix of fear and sensation, where his claws raked against her fur, and she shivered. He was so near her, his breath hot against her neck, and she looked up at him with defeated, worried eyes. Was he going to- was he going to get on with it and end her life? Was he going to play with her for Belladonna's trickery? She sighed, a soft exhalation against him, her eyelashes fluttering. It didn't matter either way - if she could keep her at bay long enough for Vicktor to kill her, that was what mattered. The poisonous side of her needed to be stopped....at any cost.

"But I will never forgive what you've done...instead I will have you pay it back...every scream...every drop of blood and every ounce of flesh will be paid...in interest."
Her heart was beating frantically against her ribcage now, a dance against death. Her cowardly side of her wanted to scream at him and tell him he was never like this as a child, and she would try to help him - but it was too late for that, anything she said would be taken as a lie now. He wanted his revenge, and she would accept that with poise and dignity--

She gasped, such a harsh sound, her lungs reaching for air as his claws punctured her skin and drew out her blood, the hot trails running down her sides. She refused to scream, she was going to die, she would accept that, she needed to accept it. The pain would be temporary, she promised herself, but she was so scared.

Belladonna was fighting at the gates, wanting to be let out, screaming for her to take control so they both could live, but Clover ignored her. Death was the only thing they deserved for what they'd both done. She put all of her focus into her light magic that she wrapped herself in, like a shawl, ready for the end.

"Kill you and the demon..." He said, laughing at her, his deep voice rumbling as his mouth trailed across her neck, and she shook as his tongue ran over her, wishing this would end. Her cub, her beautiful cub, was doing this to her, was enjoying this, and it terrified her. Her heart was hammering in her chest now, as his teeth circled her delicate neck, and she let out a quick, "Aah-" as she remembered Alessa and her madness, fear locking her muscles and keeping her stock still, instinct and mindlessness taking over.

"I'll kill you...that's correct. But..." She didn't want to die, she didn't want to die-- and now she screamed, his claws digging into her, ripping into her, tearing her flesh, and she was so scared, but she couldn't move, why couldn't she move, she needed to run, she couldn't let this happen - But No! She needed to accept this, she needed to die - but it hurt! It hurt!

"I'm your demon now."

"This is how I speak."

The pain would be overwhelming. It was a scream under the skin, burning hot, colliding with fear like electricity and fire. It was stifling. And yet, for all it did to consume, it had left itself vulnerable. As it devoured her, it began to ease; like a reflection on the back of the beast, there was something sweet beyond its grasp. Flickering in and out like a candle. It was a breath of fresh air like pine. A voice, a face. Shh, I know, I know it hurts. Warmth struggled to wash over the pain, wash it away like it was no more than dirt. He tried. He didn't know what caused it, he couldn't, but he tried. She was never meant to suffer like this. He wanted to free her. I feel it too. Please be strong. Everything that he was battled the pain. He breathed and he smiled, vying to wrap her in his warmth and soothing, the sensation of a distant vibration, purring. You're stronger than this. I'm right here with you. We'll be strong together.

And he tried. For everything that drove him, for every beat of his heart that she could feel, resonating inside like they were two souls in a body, like he was there - he tried to smother the pain. But it leaked through to him, too. He tried. But it couldn't be enough. Sweet, gentle breaths, catching and falling away - and the pain would consume once more.

Vicktor could feel the blood roll over his claws, the soft warmth was so welcoming. The scent itself invigorating, and the screams! Oh the screams! They were the forbidden icing on the cake. He could remember when he was younger, that bitter rush of excitment when a small prey item screeched before its sudden end. That intoxicating sound of power, the ability to end life itself. To be the alpha predator, to be death. To think he felt ashamed after every meal. How foolish was he, even after Clover had assured him it was natural countless times!

This was his place, it had to be! It felt so right, he felt strong! And most of all he felt safe, he felt in control...This must be what Clover was trying to tell him. This was the secret of a carnivore. She told him to stay safe, to protect yourself even if it meant to fight. To find food, to kill prey and feel no remorse, for it went nowhere productive. That shadow doe was right. He was made to kill. And he would kill to survive, to remain in control. He would be the alpha, he would play the part of death. After all it's what Clover would have wanted.

With a hungry grin he gripped her throat, his teeth sliding into her flesh like a hot knife through butter. But with knowledge he avoided her arteries. He wanted to feast, to devour this impostor and grow. He wanted this to last as long as possible, they clearly made no attempt at escaping such a perilous event. So he would gladly take advantage of this blessing in disguise. Lapping hungrily at the sanguine that rolled forth he snarled, a deep sinister purr rolling from his throat as his teeth grazed her all the while. Claws gripping tight into her chest he kept her still. His back leg scratching down her underbelly, making quick work of her soft skin. Trails of rolling red staining her brilliant fur.

Feast, grow, live.

"Clover Speech"
"Belladonna Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

@Belladonna

A sick scream was ripped from Clover as his teeth sunk into her neck, a scream of fear and desperation, devolving into sobbing and frantic, shallow breaths. Her clever cat's voice filled her head, telling her to be strong, saying he would be there with her, numbing the pain with his warmth, his love, his everything, and through the blanket, she could still feel claws ripping into her skin, and her blood running down her fur. She put her hoofs ineffectually against Vicktor's chest, too distracted and blind with pain to push. Her own thoughts were scattered, her mind filled with her husband and the pain, and with Belladonna trying to kick down the door. She tried to keep it all in, she tried, she really did, but what Bartos did wasn't enough, it wasn't enough to stop the searing pain that burned like flying bits of burning coal that tore holes in the blanket he gave her. The blanket was set on fire, her stomach and her chest was a mess of deep rips and claw marks, and she felt like she couldn't breathe for the teeth in her neck. She was gasping for air, her hooves against her attacker getting weaker and weaker, and she just couldn't keep this up any more. His claws were digging in deep, reaching under the skin, tearing her flesh apart, and her control slipped. I'm sorry Bartos-- GO FUCK YOURSELF Belladonna sent a pushing wave of ink and hatred towards the link and towards Bartos before shutting it off completely, and she had made her way to the throne to move Clover aside, her face contorted in a mix of righteous fury and some sort dark pity for the weak doe who simply slid back down. Shadows slid over their shared form for just as second as she regained control, but she remained the same for the most part. Belladonna tossed her head to side, hiding the fact that her blind, citrine eye glowed for just a split second. She would keep them both safe, she would get themselves out of here instead of fucking ALLOWING this piece of SHIT to kill them both. From off in the distance, a low rumble came from the dark. The image was a little bit fuzzy, but that was fine, since the mirage was mostly in the dark. The form of Arkrael, the powerful wolf, came, growling low, her posture offering a fight as she moved closer to the both of them. Saliva dripped from her mouth as she looked straight at Belladonna lying there on the ground, panting as the shock of pain came to her, her mind realizing all that Clover had suffered. She knew that Vicktor had never seen this wolf before, but Clover had, and that was enough. "......." @Bartos @Vicktor

He had wanted this to be aeonian, to be stuck in this soothing spiral forever. It was so satisfying to hear those screams ripping from her throat. To lap up the rich and invigorating ichor that seemed to pour out every time she opened her mouth. With each passing moment he could feel her growing weaker. Like a candle being snuffed out on a cold dark night. She gasped out and he could barely stand waiting anymore. He would strip her flesh clean off, he wouldn't want her to go cold. The fresher the organs the better, especially while they were still beating.

Though it was too good to be true, something just had to come along and disrupt something this monumental!? He glanced over to the shadows. Watching, waiting, still holding onto his prize. Until something stepped out, an unknown wolf. By the looks of it they were aged well, large and powerful. Growling low as they approached him. He knew this display all too well, they wanted what was his. Lips curling Vicktor released his grasp on Clover's throat. Standing above her, seething as fire flickered from his maw. It took but a few seconds for his insides to fully ignite. That nightmarish glow from deep within sending out torrential waves of ravenous flames. Licking and dancing across his maw. Reaching out, hungry for the flesh of another.

"She's MINE!"

He spat brimstone, billowing smoke from his coat as the crackle of fire matched his own laughter into an endless echo.

"You want her? Come and take her!"

"Clover Speech"
"Belladonna Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

@Belladonna

Belladonna's breath came ragged and harsh, and it was a struggle to keep up the illusion. It seemed to fool Vicktor by this point though, and his paw came off of her neck as he turned away from her to face the imaginary threat. She took just a second to breath and think, fuck, this cub is an idiot, before putting all her wavering focus into the spell. As the wolf came closer to them both, her image became clearer and clearer, hunger stark in her eyes, the gem on her chest sparkling in the low light of Canis. She finished the illusion and cut the string with a practiced snap, letting the illusion do what it needed to do while she focused on getting the hell away from this hellcat. She wouldn't die here, she was the empirical death of the caves, and she had more work to do. Ark's voice came, low and dangerous. "Come and fight me, you pathetic pup," "......."

@Vicktor

Vicktor had turned his entire focus entirely onto the wolf, stepping over Clover's ragged body. Bitter and seething from the fact he could not lay down beside her and enjoy the sweet taste of suffering. It rattled his bones to the very core. But if that wasn't the icing on the cake, they dared to call him a pathetic pup. A pathetic pup!? Oh fuck no! He had fought and clawed his way to stay alive, and he would be damned if they got away with it. It was one thing to disrupt this monumental moment, but to spit at him with such discourse.

He could feel it, that all familiar surge light up through his veins. Lips curling into a twisted smile he approached the wolf. One step, two step. Sparks of yellow spiking up from his coat, reaching for the ground in haphazard arks as they twitched and convulsed. He was a few feet away from his prize now, until finally it surged forth. A wave of blinding light ripping from his coat as it shrieked out, rivaling his own battle cry. The bolt of electricity shooting straight through the enemy, colliding with a boulder on the other side. A loud KRA'KAPOP rang through, scorching and splitting the boulder's surface, lighting up the shadows momentarily for him to realize what actually stood before him. An illusion.

"WHAT!?"

"Clover Speech"
"Belladonna Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

@Belladonna

While the foolish cub was preoocupied with protecting his 'kill' from the imaginary wolf, she gathered herself as quietly as she could, pulling at the shadows, grabbing her cloak like her protective skin she was naked without, and she quietly snuck away behind a pile of bones towards the entrance, watching Vicktor carefully in case he looked back. She had enough time to make it before he gathered his spell to attack the fake wolf, and while she ran down the tunnel, she heard his scream of outrage. She would come back again another day to kill that cub. His life would be hers in her teeth, and she would dangle him from her teeth before she let him fall and crunch on those bones spikes. She vowed that Canis would be his grave, and killing him would be her goal above all else. No one. No one. Touched Clover. The fake wolf laughed as Vicktor screamed and as Belladonna ran away, shaking her fake head, and in Belladonna's voice she said, "You will never learn," before fading away entirely. "......."

[exit Belladonna] @Vicktor